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Despite the WOD's shortcoming in the rig department I reckon it sails better on tidal rivers than does the YBOD. The WOD seems to be able to cling to the windward bank when close hauled for longer than the WBOD, in my very humble opinion.

Interesting stuff JM, so it sounds as though a bit of flexibility is acceptable! I’d be very interested in seeing a WOD with bermudan rig, as amongst my scribbles I did draw one. I’m wondering what the association made of the proposel with the removable keel and conversion to a motor boat. Ernest Collins built three motor cruisers based on the Valkyrie sailing boat hulls and they looked very good.

Jeremy the intergral rig is no higher than the standard gunter rig, the extra area is achieved by pulling the topsail pole closer to the mast with just a small amount of area aft of the leech line. I’ve never been keen on long booms (mainly due to gybing), and this can have two or three feet cut off the end. Also don’t want to increase the length of the bowsprit (concern for my fellow motor cruiser owners!) and although I agree about the overlap with the jib a self tacker is more desirable with my family.

Thanks 16E for your comments, I know for a fact that whatever I did with any conversion it would not be acceptable with the river cruiser class.

I thought we already agreed to keep the V8 idea quiet 650XS!!

John, I think 'Confessions of a serious lunatic' would be more appropriate Oh, and yes, I'm full of good ideas!

One advantage of a self-tacking jib is that you can mount the pivot of the jib-boom such that the sail actually extends a little in front of the bowsprit, giving you more sail area well forrard.

I'm not a great fan of self-tacking jibs, and often sail single-handed (or effectively single-handed, with the 'crew' not actually holding or pulling anything), simply reaching down and pulling in the appropriate jib sheet at the right point in the tack.

By the way, from your photos it may be that one bit of bank with boats on looks much like another, but I think your W.O.D. is actually very close to my boat at the moment - maybe they'll have a chat over the winter

I expect/hope she'll be out on the bank pretty soon, especially before any hard frosts.

I may not be around much during the winter, but my 'season' normally starts at the beginning of March - can't waste all that lovely daylight, can we (and sailing in sleet is such fun!), so I hope to bump into you next spring, perhaps.

Going purely from memory there used to be a half decker kept at Hickling years ago with either a small cabin or cuddy based on a waveney hull, I think it was called Rosalyn and the last time I saw it was at Barton about 10 years ago.

I can't recall who but I was sure someone at Oulton said more than one was built for hire somewhere, maybe Beccles or Burgh or somewhere that way on the southern rivers(?).

My Ernie Woods cruiser originates from a half decker hull design albeit it is a one off, similar to Foam and Gimlet, slightly longer and beamier than a YBOD and with bench seats in the cockpit for more legroom aft and open forepeak thro' cabin berths for more legroom for'ad.

Just a quick update on the Waveney, finally got round to steaming a couple of timbers in up at the bow. I was unsure as to whether these would bend round in one due to the tight radius, but they went in beautifully. Steaming time was 30 minutes. The other 30 or so timbers that need doing have much more gentle curves so should, in theory, bend easier! cheers Mat PS love the pic Turnoar! JM I now have the full history of Orchis care of the Waveney Owners Association, and you and your father are both mentioned along with Herbert Bunn. Fascinating stuff.